Still needing a boost in their improbable quest for a playoff spot, the New Jersey Devils said Thursday that star forward Zach Parise will return before the end of the regular season.
According to the Newark Star-Ledger, general manager Lou Lamoriello said Thursday that the left winger "will play this season, unless there is something unforeseen that happens."
"He's on a time frame, let's put it that way," Lamoriello said after being asked whether Parise would practice Thursday with the team.
Parise underwent surgery Nov. 2 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and began skating for the first time three weeks ago.
The 26-year-old has scored 146 goals over his previous four seasons, and has scored the most points for the Devils in each of the past three seasons.
New Jersey, which has not missed the playoffs since 1995-96, had been on a torrid run, going 23-3-2 over a 28-game stretch to move within six points of a playoff spot last week. But the Devils have faltered since, losing three of four and dropping nine points behind eighth-place Buffalo with nine games remaining.
